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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book goes into the real life horror of the dangers to explain the unexplained and the willingness to accept the unknown even when we don't quite understand what we're getting ourselves into. The ending Nightgardner segments really sold this for me.
Some segments are more compelling than others. I think there are moments where I was really engrossed and others where I got distracted. I like to think about what this book means but for me it was a hard book to read just because I don't think I am quite as science smarts as I'd like to be. This book fully explains out scientific concepts almost pedantically. They are interesting and important to the book, but they lose me a little.
Some segments are more compelling than others. I think there are moments where I was really engrossed and others where I got distracted. I like to think about what this book means but for me it was a hard book to read just because I don't think I am quite as science smarts as I'd like to be. This book fully explains out scientific concepts almost pedantically. They are interesting and important to the book, but they lose me a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Genocide, Antisemitism, Medical content
challenging
dark
mysterious
I actively hated this book, and I'm so glad it's over
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A few people have made the point that Benjamin Labatut's writing reminded them of W.G. Sebald and I had the same experience. Both authors have the ability to write in a dispassionate, sad, almost flat non-fiction tone, but their books feel weird, interesting, and mysterious. It's not an easy balance to strike which is why I found Labatut's book so impressive.
I had ordered his latest The Maniac before finishing this one. I plan on reading anything he comes out with in the future.
I had ordered his latest The Maniac before finishing this one. I plan on reading anything he comes out with in the future.